ISLAMABAD ; Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has conceded the existence of political friction between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and its coalition partner, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), while asserting that there are currently no signs of the incumbent setup stepping down anytime soon.
In an exclusive interview with Geo News, Asif addressed the ongoing political and security discourse, voicing his full endorsement of the Director General Inter-Services Public Relations’ (DG ISPR) recent remarks. However, he pointedly noted a divergence between the military’s official narrative and the statement issued by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.
“The Interior Minister’s statement also carries a political aspect,” Asif remarked, adding that Mohsin Naqvi has been associated with the current political system for the past three and a half years, suggesting his remarks must be contextualized within that political lens.
On the broader political trajectory, the Defence Minister emphasized that the country’s salvation currently hinges on the success of the so-called “hybrid system.” Reflecting on his tenure in previous administrations, Asif accepted full responsibility for past governmental actions but posed a rhetorical defense of his party’s track record, questioning whether former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had failed to deliver during his past terms in office.
Adopting a measured stance on accountability, Asif clarified that he attributes blame strictly to individuals—whether they belong to the political arena or the establishment of a given era—rather than targeting state institutions as monolithic entities.
While openly admitting to existing fissures with the PPP, the Defence Minister sought to downplay fears of an imminent political collapse. “There are cracks between the People’s Party and us, but I don’t think these are any signs of the system going away,” he stated. “At this time, there are no signs of the current setup
leaving.”
